How to wire a light switch in the USA

How to wire a 4 way light switch with power feed via the light switch

In this 4 way light circuit the power source is via the first switch (SW1). The hot connects to the common on that switch and the neutral is spliced through all the switch boxes to the neutral terminal of the light. A Three-wire cable runs between all the switches connecting the travelers.

A two-wire cable (C4) connects the last switch (SW3) to the light fixture, the common on that switch connects to the hot terminal on the light.
4 way switch with the the power source via the switch


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2 way light switch with power feed via switch (two lights)

The power source enters the switch box (SB1) where the neutral is spliced through to the light fixture (F1) where it is spliced to the light (LT1) and, via cable C3, to the second light LT2. The hot from the power source connects to the 2-way switch (SW1) where it can be switched to the hot terminal of the light LT1 and spliced through to LT2 via the cable C3.
A simple two way switch used to operate two lights with the power feed via the switch


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3 way light switch with power feed via the switch (two lights)

Here we have multiple lights controlled by 3 way switches.

The hot from the power source (cable C1) connects to the common terminal of the first 3-way switch (SW1) and the neutral is spiced, in the switch box SB1, through to the second 3-way switch (SW2) via the 3 wire cable (cable C2, that also carries the travelers that connect the two switches) where it is spliced through to the first fixture (F1) and connects with the neutral of each light. In the same way, the hot from the common terminal of the 3-way switch SW2 connects to the hot terminal on each light via cable C3 (spliced in fixture F1).
Circuit diagram for 3 way switches controlling two lights with the power feed via the light switch


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Single light between 3 way switches (power via switch)

Power enters the circuit at switch box (SB1) and the hot connects to the common terminal of the 3-way switch (SW1) and the neutral is spliced through to the neutral terminal of the light. The travelers from SW1 (via cable C1) are spliced at the fixture and carry on to the second 3-way switch (SW2) via cable C2. The common terminal of SW2 supplies power to the hot terminal of the light.

Single light between 3 way switches with the power feed via the switch


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3-way light switch with power feed via the light switch

Here we have a single light controlled by 3 way switches.

The hot from the power source connects to the common terminal of the first 3-way switch (SW1) and the neutral is spiced through (SB1) to the second 3-way switch (SW2) via the 3 wire cable (C2, that also carries the travelers that connect the two switches) where it is spliced through (SB2) to the neutral terminal of the light. The hot from the common terminal of the second 3-way switch (SW2) is connected to the hot terminal of the light.

3 way switch circuit diagram with the power feed via the switch (single light)


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2 way light switch with power feed via switch

The power source enters the switch box where the neutral is spliced through to the neutral terminal of the light fixture. The hot from the source connects to the 2-way switch where it can be switched to the hot terminal of the light fixture.
2 way switch circuit diagram with the power feed via the switch


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